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Govt advised to tone down asylum seeker comments

Updated
Sun 10 Nov 2013, 4:06 PM AEDT

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The Indonesia Institute believes the Abbott Government would benefit from toning down its comments on asylum seeker boats.

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The head of the WA-based Indonesia Institute says the Federal Government needs to alter the tone of its comments on asylum seekers if it wants to strengthen its relationship with its northern neighbour.

Yesterday, the Prime Minister Tony Abbott used an address to WA's State Liberal Party conference in Perth to reiterate the government's policy of turning back the boats.

Mr Abbott described Australia's relations with Indonesia as good and improving, but said his government would stop the boats.

"We will stop these boats and any test of will between the Australian Government and the people smugglers, we will and we must prevail," he said.

He made the comments as a diplomatic dispute was unfolding between Australia and Indonesia, over who should accept a group of asylum seekers Australia rescued off Indonesia.

The ABC understands Indonesia refused to accept the group and they have since been taken to Christmas Island.

The Indonesia Institute's Ross Taylor says the issue should be resolved behind diplomatic doors rather than on a political stage.

"Australia would very astute to go a lot easier on comments like that," he said.

"It would be far more effective to have Mr Abbott's foreign minister to work through the Australian embassy in Indonesia."